How to Stop Pulling: Don’t Fall for the Leash Training Lie

Are you tired of your dog yanking you down the street every time you go for a walk? You're not alone and the good news is, it's not your fault. We've been approaching leash training all wrong!

With almost two decades of experience in dog training, I've discovered that the secret to success lies not in a short leash, but in a longer one. Sounds counterintuitive, doesn't it?

Throughout this video, I will walk you through my new approach, explain why dogs pull on the leash in the first place, and how giving them more freedom can ultimately teach them to stay by your side, with a lot less effort from you! I’ll give you my favorite exercises that I use with the dogs I train.

We'll also discuss the principle of habituation and how it plays a vital role in your dog's leash training, why your leash training may not have been working for you in the past, and what you can do about it!

Get ready to revolutionize your leash walking experience and achieve that harmonious walk with your dog that you've always dreamed of.

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☝️👀👂 If you prefer to LISTEN instead of read... I narrated both of my audiobooks for you guys myself!!! If you listen to the audio versions be sure to let me know what you think! 🎙😜 You can find audio (and Kindle) versions at the links above as well.

Thank you so much for watching this video! If you have any feedback, requests for future content, or just want to tell us about your dog… We’ll see you in the comments!! 🤗 - Zak and Bree (and Inertia… and Veronica! 🐾)

CHAPTERS

00:00 intro
00:19 THIS is the problem
00:39 I love these
01:12 Get a free dog bed!
01:37 Why do dogs pull?
02:34 The problem with short leashes
03:17 This is the answer you've been looking for!
04:19 Prerequisites
04:46 Introducing a long lead
04:57 Why this is essential
05:54 Long leads do something short leads can't do!
06:17 Exercises That I Do
08:38 **Notice moments like these!**
09:52 Free walks
10:02 THIS IS IMPORTANT
10:28 How to Reward Your Dog
10:55 Why Does This Work?
11:56 habituation
13:07 Harnesses Do Not Cause Pulling!
13:30 Training location suggestions
14:26 What if nothing is working?

[ChickPeaChannel]

I love that there is no other person or dog in that huge field. No-one to get tangled up with.

[MiTmite]

I just want to thank the two little old ladies who used to teach dog obedience at one of our local parks, through a Parks Dept program. I learned so much from those women. AND their philosophy mirrored a lot of what I'm seeing here in this vid. Two things I learned from those ladies and two things I think everyone should know are 1) Be consistent and 2) Always praise/reward good behavior. My dogs are well-exercised, almost to the point of exhaustion, and they do well off-leash. I can tell you: One of the most satisfying things to hear is when other dog walkers and pedestrians tell you, about your dog, "What a good dog! Such a happy dog." Yep. It takes time and effort and consistency and praise to establish that bond. Is there anything better than having a well-trained and super happy dog?

[Quiennely]

I've been following your videos for a while, and it really hit me how much my dog has moments like 08:48-08:51 when we''re walking. She's not food or treat motivated, but learning "look at me" and using specific "yes" was a total game-changer and she just THRIVED on the verbal reassurance. 4 1/2 yo GSD and totally a great walker on a 16' leash with NO aversive training methods!

[elainelucke]

Thank goodness the week I brought my new reactive rescue 7 month old cattle dog home I got COVID. Because I binged on your videos & learned SO much! The long line has made my relationship with my dog incredible! Thanks for the great content😊

[vbs]

I had a student for whom a long lead changed everything with her dog. Her pup paid even MORE attention to Mom when she was given the chance to roam a little and explore. Thanks, Zak, for validating what I teach and for a great demonstration!!

[DobDobDobDob]

A few criticisms or additions!

This video is good in its description of positive reinforcement, use of long lines for training and exercises for building strong relationships and drive with your dog.

However, I don’t think there’s anything I saw that actually suggested 6ft loose leash training exercises.

The most success I’ve had is teaching both equipment cues and repetitive boring loose leash walking.

Generally the exercise goes like this:-

1. Put a harness on your dog that has at least 2 lead connection points (one on the back clip and one on the front chest clip)

2. Start to understand that when the lead is connected to the front chest clip you want nothing but loose leash (next to you and not pulling) walking. I differentiate loose leash from heeling as with some heeling there are more expectations like the dog looking at you or being in a particular walking gait. And equally when the lead is on the back clip the dog can gently pull (within reason) or go over to a sniff etc (more free roam).

3. Front clip loose leash walking exercises should be extremely short e.g. a minute and done up and down the same spot to avoid introducing novelty and distractions. Don’t expect to ‘go for a walk’ and train loose leash walking.

4. In each exercise you are looking to walk forwards and have the dog by your side. Saying words of encouragement (just talking) can help your dog with engagement and focus.

5. If your dogs back legs go ahead of your legs then they are no longer by your side. When this happens allow the dog to continue walking forwards to the end of the lead. Now you start walking backwards (still facing forwards - like back peddling) and gently add pressure in the lead whilst doing this. Eventually your dog will realise and walk back towards you. When they reach you reset them by your side and continue walking forwards.

5. Repeat repeat repeat. Eventually your dog will learn the reward of ‘going forwards’ only happens by your side.

6. By keeping training sessions short and associating this ‘you must be next to me’ behavior when the lead is attached to front clip you start to give the dog expectations of how to behave.

7. Give your dog breaks from expected behavior by moving the lead from front clip to back clop (free roam). You can actually start to associate a command with this switchover like ‘go sniff’. This will equally give your dog time to stop focusing, reflect on what’s been learnt, rewarded with free roam and avoid frustration. You may actually find that you get to a point where moving from front clip to back clip your dog does like a burst of mania. This is good! It means your dog has learnt and been restraining their excitement/urges when in front clip.

7. I can’t emphasise enough the importance of short sessions. Expect nice waking for a few seconds. When dog walks in front, back peddle and reset. Try to walk forwards again. Repeat. Repeat. Try short exercises like walking a distance of 5, 10 or 15 metres on loose leash and start to track if there is a reduction in the number of times you need to reset your dog.

8. By slowly incrementing distance and time of sessions you’ll find your dog will walk on the front clip lead cue with loose leash behaviors for multiple minutes, then tens of minutes etc.

9. You can use equipment cues to set behaviors e.g. you get to a busy junction, you go inside a shop and attach front clip to indicate to your dog that you want them closer to you with nice loose leash walking. It really helps with traffic management!

[bentwookie]

Unfortunately, I don't have the kind of trails that allow for a long leash like this (just too crowded), but the Gentle Leader "head collar" was a game changer for my dog. She immediately stopped pulling on the leash and walks with her head up, consistently checking back. It's so much easier to stop and let her do her little sniff breaks when she's not constantly pulling with her head down trying to smell everything.

[dollysuehoffman]

Zak - I've been watching you for years. This is your best video to date. Thank you. 👍

[jfrankcarr]

The long leash works great. The only situation I had with our standard poodle puppy (7m) was her taking a running dive into the duck pond at a local park. Fortunately, her recall was good enough to get her to swim back to shore. Such fun wouldn't be possible with a short leash.

[cherishireland]

Between you and and No Bad Dog Army guy i have always been able to figure out a way to solve communication issues or training habbits i need. Thanks so much for your continued help and diligence.

[Sevendeucegroup]

I love how kind your training is… I wish more people were kinder to their pets… I watched a couple other videos, and I could never do that to my buddy… Your methods work, and he is well trained. Thanks to you… Also, he trust me and is happy.

[indojeep]

Thanks for these videos. I've been training my 2 using your videos since March. The progress they've made is unreal. Still not anywhere near the goal, but they are still improving every day.

[bernardkisby]

I watched another dog training video that said long leads were confusing for dogs: they don't know whether they're on a lead or not. However, you make so much sense in this video that I'm converted!

[mell.]

This really does make a difference. The long leash training has endless possibilities. This video makes me want to out and do more long line with my dog.
Look how happy inertia is. Isn’t that what it’s all about? 😀

[lavender]

I’ve been nervous to try long leash in the park with my dog, thinking she would be over excited and unruly, but this makes a lot of sense. I’m excited to try it with her 🐾

[venetiasweatman]

Thank you some good advice I have three dogs to walk so it can be quite difficult at times.It’s good that we have a nice big park where my dogs can have a good run in a quiet spot.😊🐾

[musess]

This video in particular changed EVERYTHING frustrating about walking my 4 month old puppy on a leash!!! The longer lead gives her a chance to be a dog and makes both of us much happier! Then, when we walk the neighborhood with a regular length leash, there actually is SLACK on the leash!!! Unbelievable. I realize how important it is to get her get her energy out in a park on a long lead 2x per day if I can manage it. Thank you Zac!!!

[AniFam]

Thank for your awesome tips!!
I needed these~🤗

[twinkletoessexifeet]

Love that you brought up the cognitive function of smelling! So important especially as they get older! Sniff walks are everything!

[KarvelDigital]

This might be your best video yet. Great stuff!